Helmar This Great Game #85 Jim Konstanty, 1950 MVP Philadelphia Phillies

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About the Player

From the "This Great Game" card back: In his first professional season, Konstanty lost 19 games. He briefly flirted with pro basketball and even answered the bell as a fighter in the ring. But, Big Jim’s favorite hobby was twirling his famous slider and palm ball, which he could locate as if on command. In 1950, the upstate New York native appeared in 72 games, often on one days rest, and won 16 for the Phillies. He also saved 22 games, helping his team to their first pennant in 35 seasons.  

About the Series

This series marks a step in a new direction for Helmar. For the first time we take a serious look at baseball in the 1950's and then, perhaps, the 1960's. The game found itself changing dramatically in this post WWII era, influenced by both the larger society and technological innovation. The color barrier may have been officially broken in 1947 but the acceptance of black players by the big league clubs came slowly, if surely. Reliable and inexpensive air transportation paved the way for geographic expansion. The game, which had been centered in the East and Midwest, found new opportunities along the West Coast.

The very center of the baseball world through the decade was New York City. New York teams competed in every World Series through the decade except for 1959. In many of those years both teams competing were from the city. Interestingly, New York also became the center of the art world at the same time. Migration after WWII brought many creatives to the Big Apple and movements such as abstract, modernism, surrealism and avant-garde.

Studying the era has inspired Helmar to use bold, often surreal colors in this series. We hope that you will join us as we explore this era of change.

Card size: 3" x 4"

Individually Numbered 1-20

Related Cards in the Series

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Helmar This Great Game, Philadelphia Phillies
Card #	Thumbnail Pic	Player Name	Position	Top Auction Price
22		ROBERTS, Robin	Full figure pitching	$ 79.89
33		ASHBURN, Richie	Waiting for grounder	$ 146.50
85		Konstanty, Jim	Glove up, follow through	$ 106.50
112		Ennis, Del	End of swing	$ 113.61
120		Jones, Willie	Orange sky	$ 76.55
139		Lopata, Stan	Crouched posed stance	$ 0.00
171		Simmons, Curt	Chest up; intense	$ 0.00

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